Security guards at Royal Berkshire Hospital have secured a pay rise thanks to intervention from their union, and now they are calling for the staff to brought back in house.
The 20 security guards at the Royal Berkshire Hospital in Craven Road, Reading have been attempting to secure wage increases from their outsourced employer Kingdom Services Group Ltd since December 2020.
As part of this campaign, the security guards have been engaging in ‘industrial action’ and negotiations with assistance from the trade union Unite.
Recently, the guards secured a one-year deal of 7.%, backdated to December 2021, with each worker receiving approximately £400 in back pay.
The Royal Berkshire NHS Foundation Trust is currently undertaking a tendering process for the three-year security guard contract, but Unite is calling for the guards to employed directly.
Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: “It is appalling that our members have had to wait two years for a pay deal at a time of soaring living costs, but the security staff stood together, determined to secure a better deal, and they won.
“It is great that our members have won this victory, but it is not the end of the story.
“Unite will continue to press for this vital service to be brought in-house as the best option for all concerned.”
The union’s lead officer for health in the south east, Jesika Parmar, said: “Our members first balloted for industrial action in February 2020, but then postponed action due to the onset of the covid pandemic. I am delighted that their dogged determination has, at last, paid off.
“Our view remains that this contract should be brought back in-house as the best way to deliver this important service and the most efficient use of the NHS’ money.”
In February 2021, more than 1,500 people signed a petition calling for the security staff to be paid fairly.
A month later in March, the Local Democracy Reporting Service reported that a Government body would undertake an investigation into the pay dispute, which the Advisory, Conciliation, and Arbitration Service (ACAS) did.
It is understood the security guard contract held by Kingdom Services is worth more than £750,000 annually.
The Local Democracy Reporting Service has asked Kingdom Services whether it will be bidding for the security guard contract and whether the recently negotiated pay increases will be maintained.
So far, no response has been received.
As well as security staff management, Kingdom Services also provides technology, cleaning, hygiene and recruitment services.
A spokesperson for the Royal Berkshire NHS Foundation Trust said that it was unable to respond to requests for comment at the moment.
